Traveling to East Timor – The Forgotten Paradise of Southeast Asia

Remote, tiny, less marked on the world tourism map, and almost forgotten, but East Timor promises to be an ideal destination for nature lovers, those who enjoy exploring pristine lands, untouched by mass tourism.

Traveling to East Timor – The Forgotten Paradise of Southeast Asia

Due to recent development in tourism, East Timor still retains its raw and peaceful charm. Let's explore the popular destinations in East Timor with Mytour to prepare for a journey to the youngest nation in Southeast Asia.

The Statue of Cristo Rei de Dili

While Rio de Janeiro boasts the giant Christ the Redeemer statue, East Timor features the Christ the King statue, known as Cristo Rei. Located east of Dili, Cristo Rei de Dili is one of the tallest Jesus statues in the world, standing at 27 meters. The statue was a gift from the Indonesian government to the people of Timor in 1996. To reach the statue, visitors must climb over 500 steps and pass through bronze reliefs depicting the Stations of the Cross. However, the reward is a panoramic view of the beautiful coastline and capital city of Dili.

Scuba Diving

Located within the Coral Triangle, East Timor is blessed with pristine waters, beautiful coastlines, vast oceans, and diverse coral reefs, making it an ideal destination for scuba diving enthusiasts. Ideal diving spots in East Timor include Atauro Island, Pertamina Pier, Tasitolu, and Dirt Track.

Tais Handicraft Market

This is the perfect place if you want to delve into the culture of this young nation. Exploring the market, you'll be captivated by vibrant colors from woven fabrics and unique traditional handicraft stalls. Here, you can purchase a traditional Tais scarf as a souvenir for your loved ones and friends.

Santa Cruz Cemetery

Rarely does a cemetery make it onto a tourist itinerary, but this one is entirely different. As a testament to a part of East Timor's history, Santa Cruz is the site of a brutal massacre perpetrated by the Indonesian military, resulting in over 200 casualties on November 12, 1991.

Ramelau Peak

With a height of 2,700 meters, Ramelau Peak stands as the tallest mountain in East Timor. Situated in the Ainaro district, approximately 70 kilometers south of the capital city Dili, this mountain is home to a statue of Virgin Mary. Trekking to the summit takes about 3 hours, offering the ideal spot to witness the sunrise, a quintessential experience in this country.

Jaco Island

Spanning an area of 11 square kilometers, Jaco Island shines like a precious gem in East Timor. Since 2007, Jaco Island has officially become part of the Nino Konis Santana National Park. What sets it apart is its lack of permanent inhabitants, yet it warmly welcomes tourists. To reach the island, it takes approximately a 6-hour drive from Dili.

According to Mi Mi (Compilation)

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Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour